April 2 - 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Susan J Gilman will be at Women & Children First Books - 5233 N Clark St at 7:30PM to read from Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven.

The Writers Workshop will hold their fortnightly meeting at Gerber/Hart Library - 1127 W Granville at 7:30PM. Stop by for Chicago's only gay and lesbian writers salon to hear and share your stories.

The Alvin Aily American Dance Theater is celebrating 50 amazing years with performances through Sunday at the Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University. Check the site for full details.

New galleries are open at the Art Institute, including the Alsdorf and Impressionists. They are open until 8PM and admission is free after 5PM. Stop by and enjoy the "new" Art Institute.

Stop by Northend for TPAN's weekly poz-friendly bar night - PULSE! from 6-10PM

Looking for some Dirty Details? Stop by the Sak's Fifth Avenue Men's Department - 717 N Michigan Ave - for an after work cocktail hour benefiting the Center on Halsted. Details Magazine and Saks have teamed up for this fashion show. Cocktails and appetizers as well as door prizes are all within your reach.

Mary Poppins is only here through July, if you're planning on seeing it, you'd better hurry up as I'm sure tickets are going fast.

FRIDAY APRIL 3

If you're downtown during lunch stop by the Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Washington for a University of Chicago Lecture: Abraham Lincoln and Race Relations at 12:15pm. Check the site for full details, admission is free.

It's time for First Friday's at the MCA, 6-10PM with cash bar and complimentary appetizers. You'll get a first hand chance to take a look at the new exhibit showcasing the amazing. Buckminster Fuller. $15/$10/$7

Registration for this years AIDS Walk/Run is now open. Gather your friends together and form a team like I am and raise money for AIDS Research. The walk steps off October 3 - so you have plenty of time and no excuse.

'Officially Unofficial - Inspired Art for Obama' just opened at the Chicago Cultural Center - 72 E Randolph and features more than 100 works from artists and designers that were inspired by President Obama during his campaign for Presidency. Included are Shepard Fairey's Hope poster as well as other Obama logos and brandings. The show is through May 31 and it's FREE.

DJ Mark Picchiotti will spin the vinyl at Roscoe's to celebrate RuPaul's Drag Race Winner's Club Tour.

WOOF - The Flesh Hungry Dog Show takes over Jackhammer tonight at 9PM showcasing Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion, The Joans and Patty Elvis. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online.

SATURDAY APRIL 4

Are you a photographer? Dancer? Fashion Designer? Stop by the Creative Chicago Expo at the Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Washington from 10AM-4PM. For the 6th year this free expo helps Chicago's artists connect with the community. 20+ Workshops, 100+ Vendors and 40+ Consultants. They are also holding a "Consult-a-thon" where $10 will get you a 20 minute appointment with an expert to get advice on your project (does require advance signup).

If you're up in Edgewater, stop by St Andrews Church (Hollywood & Sheridan) for a huge Rummage Sale from 10AM-4PM.

The Center on Halsted has recently announced the formation of the first ever LGBT Youth Chorus in Chicago. They are holding open auditions today from 1-5PM at the Center - 3656 N Halsted. 21 and under, come prepared to sing a pop song, showtune/musical theater song. See the site for full details.

Club BEHIV & Cabaret kicks off BEHIV's largest fundraiser of the year at the Woman's Club of Evanston - 1702 Chicago Ave, Evanston. Celebrate 20 years of service as they take a look back at what they've accomplished and look forward to new ways of serving their clients. Tickets start at $125

Get your sweet on at the Jelly Belly Trunk Show at Candyality - 3425 N Southport from 11AM-4PM. Taste all of those fabulous 50 flavors of Jelly Belly candies and catch a glimpse of the Jelly Belly Mobile.

3Girls3 - Heather Moran, MaryMonica Thomas and Gail Becker - present 'This One's For You: The Songs of Barry Manilow' at the Skokie Theater - 7924 N Lincoln at 8PM. Tickets $25/$30, purchase online

There is also a show on Sunday at 2PM.

The ambiguously sexy Morrissey takes the stage of the Aragon at 8PM, tickets are $37.50 and can be purchased online.

SUNDAY APRIL 5

Enjoy classical music at the Chicago Cultural Center at 3PM during their Sunday Salon Series. This week Joseph Glymph will conduct Handel, Holst and Hindemith. 3PM, admission is free.

It's Greek Independence Day and there's a parade in Greektown starting at 2PM starting at Halsted & Randolph.

Project Sunday continues at the Chicago History Museum with a documentary screening of The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth at 1:30PM. Admission to the screening is free with paid admission to the museum.

Easter is next weekend, are you ready? Head on over to Southport and "Hop Around the Shops" from 12-3PM and hunt for discounts, coupons and freebies at most of the businesses.

If you haven't been to the Block Museum in Evanston to take in 'Polaroids: Mapplethorpe' then today is the last day that you can! Hurry!!! The gallery is open from 12-5PM.

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name - are at the Metro. Did you get your ticket, because they're sold out!

The Center on Halsted & The Hubbard Street Dancers have teamed up for the "Celebrity Cast Party LGBT Event" enjoy a performance by the troupe at the Harris Theater and then join them at the Fairmont Chicago for a fun-filled afterparty with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. Tickets $125

COMING SOON:

• MONDAY, APRIL 6 - Gavin Lee at Davenports


• APRIL 11 - Bunny Brunch


• APRIL 14 - Lakeview Chamber of Commerce Networking Event


• APRIL 15 - Same Sex Kiss Day